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to preserve him. He has violated his oath to his dead overlord and sought to win advantage from a helpless widow and child. He is filth in my eyes, less than the beasts who have not God's law and precepts of honor to guide them." |
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Ian knew he had almost certainly condemned the man to death and his womenfolk to rape and murder. He hoped there were no young girls in the man's family, but it was not going to give him second thoughts or sleepless nights. Not only was he truly offended at the castellan's dishonorable act, but he also had two more keeps to take and a lesson to administer to the loyal castellans. When news of this castellan's fate reached the ears of the two other rebellious menand Ian would make sure that it did reach themthe chances were greatly increased that they would yield without further resistance. To do so would ensure them of their lives and their family's lives. What they would do to live afterward was questionable, but possibly they had families that would take them in or they could try the tourney trail. Life was sweet. |
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In addition to the possibility of saving his own men future death and injury, Ian was planning on nipping future rebellions in the bud. He had gone to great trouble to be generous, mild, and affable to the castellans who had loyally answered his summons to fight for him. It had not always been easy, as his mind seesawed up and down according to Alinor's whim, but he had succeeded. The men were comfortable with him and trusted him. Now he wished them to see the other side of the coin. It was not sufficient to say "I am terrible when angered." It was far better to say nothing, to smile and show how ill those who broke faith fared. |
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"And now," Ian smiled as he looked out over the men, "I am sure you are as eager to break your fasts as I am to break mine. Eat hearty. If you do your work well, we will have dinner in the castle. If you are slow, |
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